Dating Online Safely
Common sense and internet dating reviews will help
Dating online can bring many rewards – but also carries some hazards. With the proper precautions, common sense, and the guidance of Internet dating reviews, you can reduce the risks of dating online.
At the Beginning:
Use Internet dating reviews and choose a reputable dating online site that has adequate customer support, a listed phone number and full address. Ensure the company has strict security, privacy, and safety policies for dating online. Look specifically for safety features such as the ability to block members (without being penalized), and make sure that your email or chat correspondence is contained on the site and not sent directly to your private email address. Internet dating reviews can help you evaluate the dating online sites using these parameters and more.
Never give out too much personal information when you're dating online. And by “personal information,” we don’t mean as personal as your social security number; we’re talking basics — like your last name, your home phone number, where you live, and where you work. Stick to first names only, no matter how much you might immediately like and trust someone.
Ask for a few recent photos. While the photo you receive of that handsome, buff senior executive could really be the overweight, unemployed, and married man with whom you’ve been corresponding, the goal is to rule out anyone who won’t provide a photo right off the bat. It's your own Internet dating review. Asking for a few different photos might also help discourage someone from sending you a phony representation.
Set up a special email account for dating online. While your dating online service shouldn’t reveal your own personal email account – this is part of your Internet dating review as well – it’s a good idea to set up a new email account, specifically for dating online purposes. This email address should have only your first name – both in the email address itself and in the name/from field. Check Internet dating reviews; certain sites may facilitate this process. That way, if, after awhile, you decide to take the next step in online dating and correspond via email with someone, your special account will be set up and ready to go.
Be wary of free dating online services. Always check Internet dating reviews and read up on the companies … but keep in mind the saying “you get what you pay for” for a couple of reasons. Not only will free dating online sites likely not offer the kind of service, features and options you’re looking for, but there’s no accountability in their users. There’s no way for users to be traced because they haven’t even had to provide so much as a credit card to start dating online.
Save copies of your correspondence. Keep a special folder on your desktop with copies of all your instant messenger conversations, emails, and chats. Name each file as the date of your conversation so you can do Internet dating reviews any time. Seem overboard? Well, not only could it really protect you while dating online, but you might start noticing inconsistencies in what someone is saying, and with everything documented, you’ll be able to go back and easily check.
On the Phone:
Even when your “online” relationship moves to the next level, i.e. the phone conversation, you should never give out your home phone number. Use a cell, a payphone (initially at least), or an anonymous phone services (check Internet dating reviews for the name of some of these services). If calling from home, be sure to block your number.
Meeting for the First Time:
First off, don’t call it a first date. Make it a meeting – and a casual one. Meet for coffee during the day in a busy, public place. It's worth being over-cautious with dating online.
If possible, take a friend along to be introduced to the object of your dating online experience, and then arrange a time and place to meet back with your friend. If you’re not able to take a friend, make sure you let someone know exactly where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and give him/her all the information you have on the person you’re meeting. It wouldn't hurt to give your friend the background on your encounter, including Internet dating reviews.
Do not go back home with the person you met dating online, invite him/her over to your house, or get a ride home. Even though a ride home might seem harmless, not only do you not want this person knowing where you live, but you’re also handing over a lot of control and opening yourself up to all kinds of vulnerabilities in the car.
Above all – trust your instinct. This is something Internet dating reviews can't help you with, but you should pay close attention to. If something isn’t sitting right with you even though you might not be able to explain it, follow that feeling through. You should be very cautious, slow down, or back off altogether.
Remember, your instinct is ultimately the best dating online screening tool you have.
View our list of the best online dating services